A traffic stop on a Short Hills residential street ended with a Newark man in custody after Millburn police found a katana-style sword and two black metal daggers in his car, the department said.

Officers stopped Abijahn Johnson, 40, while he was driving a Honda Accord on Fineran Way on Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to Patch. The Millburn Police Department did not specify what motor vehicle violation prompted the stop.

A records check revealed Johnson had an active warrant out of Montclair for assault and unlawful possession of a knife. Police arrested him on the warrant and searched the vehicle.

Inside, they found the sword and daggers.

Johnson was charged with possession of dangerous knives and possession of weapons by a certain person prohibited from possessing weapons, on top of the outstanding Montclair warrant. He has prior felony convictions on his record, according to the department.

Fineran Way is the address of The Upton, a residential apartment complex in Short Hills. The stop occurred in a neighborhood setting, not on a highway or commercial corridor.

What the charges mean

Under New Jersey law, the "certain persons" charge (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7) bars anyone with prior felony convictions from possessing any weapon, according to state statute. For weapons other than firearms, the offense is a fourth-degree crime carrying up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The dangerous-knives charge is separate. Under state law, possessing a dagger without an explainable lawful purpose can constitute a fourth-degree crime regardless of criminal history.

Johnson was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark following his arrest. No court date or bail hearing has been announced.

Residents with information about weapons or suspicious activity can contact the Millburn Police Department at 973-564-7000.